Hi, this is Katio Rogers, executive producer of On the Media.

This holiday week, we're featuring a series of conversations about an alarming loss of trust, faith and devotion by Americans for American democracy.

This mini-series is part of a month-long campaign called The Purple Project for Democracy, a strictly non-partisan apolitical effort.

Our very own Bob Garfield is one of the Purple Project organizers.

We recommend that you listen to this series In Order.

This is episode four, in which Bob examines the media's responsibility for instilling devotion,

or at least perspective, for our democracy.

Once upon a time, there was not just education about core American values, but inculcation.

Greatest country in the world, shining city on a hill, beacon to the world, exceptional.

But along with that, a lot of nitty-gritty on how it all works, how a bill becomes law, separation of powers, the role of the courts.

This was one educational film from the 50s.

Elmdale's story is told every day in cities, towns, and villages all over our country.

It is a story told in all of the thousands

of ways that American democracy works out its problems. Through bond issues for new school

building, through municipal ordinances for new streets or sewers, through off-street parking lots to ease its traffic problems. But more than

anything else, it is the remarkable story of the power of the individual to make his life and

his government what he wants them to be. Well, Bert, you did a good job. I wouldn't have thought

you could do it. Well, Sam, there isn't anything you can't do.

If you believe in it, it's right, and you go to work on it.

Yes, I guess that's democracy.

Yes, that's democracy.

Ah, those were the days.

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